One of my favorite studies over the years is the Names of God. I have a number of different books by various authors on this subject. I have a couple of favorites that I have read a number of times. There is one that I picked up in the early 1980’s that I used to read once a year just to keep reminding myself of who GOD says HE is. But that is not the focus of this post.

Because of who Jehovah, the triune GOD says HE is, there are certain things we can know. We can know if we have assurance of salvation. You see, a person is either saved or unsaved. A person is either in Christ or not in Christ. A person’s name is either written in the Lamb’s Book of Life or it is not written there. There is only one way to know this truth and it is by repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).

If we have come to God in humble repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we should be glad. We should have the joy of salvation. We have become adopted into God’s family. We have been placed in Christ. We can have assurance of eternal salvation. We have become a part of His Kingdom. Because of those truths we also have a responsibility to have an attitude of gratitude.

(28)Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, (29)for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29 English Standard Version)

Think about these things today. Are you grateful for what you have received and not earned? Are you offering up acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, to God? If not, why not? What needs to change? If you are, please continue to do so, because He is worthy!

Begin to prepare yourself to attend and serve at your local church this Sunday. Don’t be a spectator, be a participant. Part of acceptable worship is service. Think about these things.

I was thinking about God this week (yes I know you expected me too), and I was humbled by some answers to prayer He gave to me and my wife. I was deeply humbled and repentant and glad that I am allowed to know Him. So I had to look for something to share with you. Almost all of my books are packed along with most all of my files. When I need a book or books I have to go through a lot to get them. After I use them I have to repack them. But God is good and gracious.

(12)And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (13)Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (14)God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (15)God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” (Exodus 3:12-16 NIV)

Over the years I have collected and read a lot of books on the names of God. I was looking for something simple to encourage you this week with some truth about God. I found this old bulletin insert. I don’t know where it came from.

The Names of God

In biblical times names reflected character. So, if you could understand a person’s name, you came closer to understanding the person. We have heard God called Elohim, the Creator God. Hi is Adonai, the Lord. We know Him as Jehovah, the God who keeps His covenant. Here are some others:

El Elyon: “The Most High God”, describes the God who sits in heaven, looks down and says, “Everything is in My hand.” When you call on El Elyon, it is a way of saying that no matter what’s going on, everything is under His control.

El Olam: “The Everlasting, Unchanging God.” No matter how volatile your circumstances, no matter how unstable your life may seem, you serve a God who is the same for all time.

El Shaddai: “God Almighty, full of grace.” When I need what I don’t deserve, El Shaddai, is there to make up the difference with His grace.

El Roi: “The God who sees.” When I’m hurting, I need El Roi, for God is so intimately connected with my circumstances that He understands what I am going through.

Jehovah Raah: “The Lord, my Shepherd.” When I don’t know which direction to take in life and I get down on my knees and call on Jehovah Raah, I know that this sheep is about to be aimed in the perfect direction.

Jehovah Sabbaoth: “The Lord of Hosts.” When I find myself in a whole lot of trouble and nobody seems ready to come to my aid, I remember Jehovah Sabbaoth. If necessary, He will send all the angels of heaven to get me where I need to go.

Jehovah Jireh: “The Lord will provide.”

Jehovah Rapha: “The Lord who heals you.”

Jehovah Shalom: “The Lord, my peace.”

Jehovah Shammah: “The Lord who is always near.”

I am sure you are familiar with these names of our heavenly Father. No matter what you are going through, good or bad. No matter what stage of life you are in, young or old. No matter what your job or lack of a job. No matter what your ministry or family situation. You can call out to the great “I AM WHO I AM” with confidence in His love and willingness to show Himself mighty. You live in the presence of the Most High God. Be glad!